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The two-time F1 world champion would have to use a circuit that is not part of the remaining IndyCar calendar in 2018, a regulation that exists to stop him accruing data for Alexander Rossi’s title charge with Andretti.

Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama is said to be the most likely venue for Alonso to assess whether the prospect of a full season in IndyCar is an appealing one.

He has already had one race in the series, the 2017 Indy 500, but that is held at one of the six oval tracks: the 17-race series more often runs on F1-style “road courses”.

And the prospect of Alonso’s return to IndyCar is already exciting fans and drivers alike, with Ryan Hunter-Reay a potential team-mate at Andretti.

Fernando Alonso has driven in IndyCar before, taking on the Indy 500 last year (Image: GETTY)

“It would be appealing to me, if I were him,” said Hunter-Reay.

“I spent time with him as his teammate.

“He's as hungry as ever to win.

“I think he'd be a great addition to IndyCar, and I think he'd have a lot of fun here.”

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Nigel Mansell won titles in F1 and IndyCar in consecutive seasons (Image: GETTY)

Another option would be for Alonso to lead a two-car McLaren entry into IndyCar for the 2019 season, something team boss Zak Brown has not ruled out, despite refusing to be drawn on the topic after Tuesday’s announcement.

“Fernando is not only an outstanding ambassador for McLaren but also for Formula 1,” Brown said.

“His 17 years in the sport, as arguably the pre-eminent driver of his generation and undoubtedly an F1 great, have added another layer to Formula 1’s rich history.

“There is a time for everyone to make a change and Fernando has decided the end of this season to be his.

“We respect his decision, even if we believe he is in the finest form of his career.

Fernando Alonso is yet to make a decision on his future in racing (Image: GETTY)

“Our open dialogue with Fernando has meant we could plan for this eventuality.

“While evaluating his future during the past months, Fernando’s competitiveness has been undimmed.

“He has continued to perform at the highest level throughout, as we know he will do in the remaining nine races of this year’s championship.”

Alonso would not be the first F1 driver to make the switch across the Atlantic, with Nigel Mansell’s move the most high-profile.

The Brit won the F1 World Drivers’ Championship in 1992 with Williams before taking on IndyCar in the very next season.

He took the title at the first time of asking and drove one more season before a brief return to F1, which Alonso has also not ruled out doing at some point.

But 2016 IndyCar champion Simon Pagenaud reckons he would do well to follow in at least the first few footsteps of Mansell.

“If Fernando comes here, it’d be awesome,” said Pagenaud.

“He would be the kind of guy who’d be fantastic for the sport.

“It’d be like it was with Nigel Mansell.

“I’d welcome a big name like that because it’s fun to get to cross swords again with the biggest names in the world."